All-democratic Cabinet Shows Independent Streak

TALLAHASSEE -- George Firestone, Florida`s secretary of state, is a short, bald, bespectacled Democrat known for even-tempered stewardship of noncontroversial affairs.

Since his election in 1978, the former legislator from Miami has served as the state`s cultural guru, record-keeper and elections-tender.

But suddenly, Firestone is bidding to become a kind of political peer of Republican Gov. Bob Martinez. In the two times the new governor has met with the six elected Democratic Cabinet members, Firestone has eagerly led what he calls ``the loyal opposition.``

The all-Democratic Cabinet as a whole is exhibiting an aggressive, independent streak in the face of the first GOP governor in 20 years. Though vowing to forswear partisanship, Cabinet members have been quite willing to leap into any leadership vacuum the still-inexperienced governor may leave, especially with the voting odds in their favor.

On Thursday, it was Firestone who forced Martinez into the obviously uncomfortable position of voting against his party`s leader. A resolution by Firestone, which passed unanimously, chastises President Reagan for proposing massive cuts in anti-drug funding.

``The biggest crime we could commit as leaders of this state would be to be silent on this issue,`` Firestone said.

There are other signs that the lack of an obvious leader who can command a majority vote will heighten debate in the often dull meetings. Already Martinez and the Cabinet have agreed to hold a free-wheeling public workshop on how the state spends millions of dollars to buy environmentally sensitive lands.

``We need to forget about partisan and philosophical labels, and damn well better act like statespeople in dealing with the needs of Florida,`` said Firestone. He added, ``In the event the governor has priorities other than what might be the priorities of the individual Cabinet members, we`re going to be heard.``

Martinez backed off Thursday on a fairly minor but long-debated item involving the lease of about 600 acres of state land for an aquatic experiment in the Everglades agricultural area of Palm Beach County.

When Martinez first sided with two Democrats wanting to reconsider the lease at the request of a sugar-cane business, Attorney General Bob Butterworth -- new to the Cabinet -- quickly mustered a procedural objection based on Robert`s Rules of Order. He was kidded as the others demanded to know whether they were only ``Robert Butterworth`s Rules.``

Meanwhile, Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter kept pressing what he saw as the plan`s environmental merits. And Castor moved to adjourn at one point when Martinez seemed to waver on what course to take.

``I think we`ll disagree on issues, but I don`t think we`ll be disagreeing based on how we`re registered (by party),`` Martinez said later, adding he`s found the atmosphere congenial so far.

Indeed, Cabinet members Thursday unanimously voted in favor of a Martinez- initiated push to extend a state hiring freeze to the five agencies administered jointly by him and the Cabinet. Yet that action, done without discussion, only affects about 200 jobs.

All Cabinet members couch their intentions in conciliatory tones -- vowing in private and exhibiting in public a willingness to work with Martinez. Yet they say it will be Martinez who ultimately will set the tone.

``The election is over. That`s where my partisan politics stops and my work begins,`` said Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Conner. ``Any other scenario just leads to confusion.``

``Just to use the Cabinet simply as a (political) forum would not be advantageous,`` Castor said. ``Anyone doing that would be quickly perceived as someone trying to grab headlines. People on the Cabinet are pretty well-worn politicians. I don`t think that will happen.``

Said Butterworth, ``I think everyone will try to work together. I don`t think people will be voting against the governor just to vote against him.``

Yet when the six Cabinet members discuss their roles in relation to the new governor, Firestone emerges as the one with the most ambitious agenda. He vows to lobby the Legislature for more funding for law-enforcement salaries, beach renourishment and infrastructure -- massive needs that may conflict with Martinez`s resolve to be a tight-spender.

Even little things signal that Firestone is grasping for a higher political profile.

He`s taken to wearing neckties emblazoned with little maps of Florida, a tailoring touch that was the trademark of former Demcoratic Gov. Bob Graham. Firestone admits he just began that practice as of Martinez`s Jan. 6 inauguration.